I have a problem. I don’t know why I do this. My life is full. I have three kids. I run a daycare. We have two cats and mice….and yet I’m always wanting to add.
It’s not a new thing, I’ve been this way since forever, but my family and friends are starting to think something is wrong with me. Some of them have even asked me what I think might be missing in my life that might cause me to constantly be thinking of new ways to fill it up.
To them I say yes. There is something missing.
A LABRADOODLE!
I know what you’re thinking, a dog is big responsibility, it’s expensive, it chews stuff, they could bite…but the girls really want a forever dog. It’s all Laina talks about. We’ve fostered four dogs and when I talk about getting one now Maile looks hopeful, “forever mom?? We can have one that will be ours forever?”
So I must provide.
It has nothing to do with my insatiable desire to have a snuggly best friend to take care of.
Ahem.
No. This is all about the girls.
So I started looking into it. Reading about all the different breeds….maybe starting with a puppy is exactly what we need. But adopting a dog is serious stuff because I have no one to give it back to if it lashes out. Fostering dogs is so temporary and not knowing where those dogs are coming from and what kind of history they have is unsettling. A puppy would mean we could have a hand in training it and getting it acclimated to a life with kids.
For a second I thought we’d do a Schoodle. It’s a Shnauzer/Poodle mix and they’re supposed to be smart and family oriented and all that good stuff. But then twitter people told me Shnauzers are barkers and can get nippy and I started second guessing myself. I can’t have a nippy dog. I just can’t.
I want a non shedding dog that’s not too big so I kind of ruled out the lab/retriever breeds even though I know they’re great family dogs. But then I ran into a lady at the beach with a labradoodle and it wasn’t that big. It was a medium sized non shedding furball and oh. so. cute.
Oh my GOODNESS you guys, they are adorable!!
I’ve been researching labradoodles and goldendoodles for a good portion of whatever free time I’ve had lately. They’re perfect I tell you and the really great breeders ensure they only breed the best tempered dogs to create mini versions of the best animals on the planet. Kid friendly, trainable, smart, non shedding, hypoallergenic, loving, loyal….the list goes on.
I must have one.
So ummm…..who’s gonna loan me the uh *cough* twenty five HUNDRED dollars I’ll need to adopt one of those cuties!?!!
Anyone??
Anyone??
(photos courtesy of How Long It Takes)
Untypically Jia says
I say adopt a golden retriever and a poodle from the pound (prior to being spayed and neutered of course – so you might need to just steal them). That’ll cost anywhere from $0 (if you steal them) to like $150. Then just . . . I dunno . . . smoosh them together. Eventually you’ll get a goldendoodle!
And then you can put the parents up on Craigslist like this:
Half of a Purebred Goldendoodle! (Only $1700)
Ashley says
Those dogs are so adorable!! But wow are they expensive!! My parents have a cockapoo and she is friendly and my husband and I have a mini schnauzer and she is friends with everyone! We haven’t had any problems with her. We got her as soon as we could and had her around other dogs people and babies so maybe she is an exception to her breed. But she’s been great.
Alicia says
holy crap that’s a lot of money for a dog! buuuuuut, it is pretty friggin cute…AND you would be the best mom ever if you got it….AND if you don’t get one your kids will only be scarred for life….just sayin :) i’ll toss in $5 for the forever dog fund!!
Roly says
Ihave a poodle and two labradors. Labs have fantastic temprament and are very affectionate while poodle is playful, intelligent and friendly. The combination would be special.
Maya says
My mom has a maltese-bischon mix. He’s small, doesn’t shed, and is great with kids. He loves to be chased, carried, and snuggled. He was also way cheaper than $2500 (about $700, with shots). The 2 downsides are that the breed needs grooming and they’re barkers (like most small dogs). Perhaps a breed to consider though.
melissa aka equidae says
oh adorable looking but sooo expensive!
Heather says
they are gorgeous, but seriously, they cost that much?
Karen & Gerard Zemek says
$2500 for a dog is NUTS, especially when there are so many great shelter dogs in need of homes.
Amanda says
Those dogs are really cute and great family pets but have you considered a Golden Retriever? There are lots of rescues all over the country for them and they would not cost $2500 which seems insane to pay for a dog!
My family has had 3 of them and they are smart, amazing with kids and very wonderful family pets. I just can’t fathom paying that much money for a dog when there are so many abandoned animals out there that need homes. Plus you’d really need to do a lot of research on the breeder to make sure that its not a puppy mill situation.
trashalou says
i cannot get my head around the whole concept of labradoodles, cockerpoos, sprockers, etc, etc. Even back when I get my first ‘I’m a grown-up now I will have a dog if I want one’ dog 16 years ago these types were still just crossbreeds or mongrels NOW people are willing to pay how much?????
dysfunctional mom says
OMG, I think those are the ugliest dogs EVER!! LOL
Angel says
lmbo umm I am with the other mothers WTH 2500?? umm I agree it’s a lab with a cute spiral perm but not 2500 cute.. seriously lol. I have a dog that cost me nothing, does not bark in the house, is about 89 lbs and what we call a doorknob dog, we are not sure what kind he is cause momma was a doorknob of the doggie neighborhood everyone got a turn..
I could not ask for a better more loving well behaved dog.. I will take shedding anyday and have a dog that is like my mutts lol
Los says
$2500? Yowzers! I used to work at a pet shop, and the highest we ever went on a dog was $1300 – it was a Chinese Shar Pei. Mixed Breeds would never go above $250. Have times changed so much?
kiki says
if you are interested in that breed, i would definitely find a rescue organization specifically for that breed as opposed to going to a breeder. you’d be surprised what wonderful dogs you can find at rescues that have been given up by their previous owners. that is how we got our 2nd golden and he is amazing. good luck with your search.
ps – i attached a labradoodle/poodle rescue site in CA. i couldn’t find one in WA.
http://www.poodleclubsocal.com/poodlerescue/list.nhtml
kiki says
i’m not sure if they have any labradoodles available, but i’m sure the people can help locate one or send you in the right direction. take care.
Lindsay @ Kids Are Teachers says
Now wait….Didn’t we (as in the collective blogging community and yourself) just have this discussion? Didn’t YOU decide that you didn’t need a dog right now after much prodding and provocation from your mother? lol
Either way, you’re being ripped off if they’re charging you $2,500 for a labradoodle. My dad has one that he got from God only knows where and he’s definitely not made of gold, nor does he crap out diamonds. Perhaps you should just get a good mutt from the pound?
Shanna says
Aww a Forever Dog Fund. I see a fundraiser in your future!! They are cute. And did you say NON SHEDDING? Hm. My boy’s been begging for a dog…they must all do that begging thing huh? We’ve talked about getting one when he’s in Kindergarten…
Brandi says
You had me sold, until you got to the part about $2500. I’ve been wanting a Pug, good with kids, about $400, but they shed:(
dusty earth mother says
I have two pugs, Brandi, and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. I’m a total weirdo about them. Get a pug!!!!!!!!!!
Foursons says
Keep checking your local animal shelter. My experience is when you rescue a dog you can’t get a much better pet. Of course I got one that sheds year round, but they usually have tons of full breed dogs in there. My dog was born in the shelter and he couldn’t be more gentle with my kids or me for that matter. If he were a lion we could stick our heads in his mouth and he would not bite. And trust me- my boys have deserved a few bites.
Stephanie says
I thought the 900 dollars I wanted for a Corgi was expensive but wow you got me beat. They really don’t shed, with all that fur I thought they would be very sheddy.
Frugal Vicki says
Well, no one said true love was cheap.
and I LOVE JIa’s comment. That was funny!
Kari says
Those dogs are so cute! I’m partial to big dogs, we have an airedale terrier. It’s funny because I just did a post about another big dog that I fell in love with (Bernese Mountain dog) and even though we cannot get a second dog, I would really love to have one.
Shell says
They do look so cute, but WOW….I can’t see myself spending that much on a dog!
Lindsey says
OK, I just have to be honest. I know someone who has one and they shed just as bad as labs. Which is like, ALL the time. Like, sweeping atleast once a day. Ofcourse, if you have that kind of free time and enjoy sweeping up and extra animal every day, then more power to you. I personally enjoy my little Cairn Terrier. Non-shedding, they do bark a bit, but if you train correctly it should minimize the problem. He’s great with my 11 month old. And he’s small enough to pack in the car with all our crap and not feel like we have an elephant with us. I say if you do get a doodle, make sure it’s like 3rd generation, that way the shedding might be minimized.
Laurie says
Have you considered a Boxer? They don’t shed (well not much anyways but any dog is going to shed some) and are awesome family pets. They are great with kids!
Cathie says
My Boxer is the best! So very laid back and gentle. Yet he loves to play too. I also have an in-home daycare, and the Boxer is fabulous with the kids. He’s about 60lbs, and thinks he’s a lap dog. LOL
Cathie says
Oh… and we adopted Duke from our local shelter. :) So the cost was under $100.
Jen says
Oh they are cute. I sorta of want one.
I can get you started with $5. Will that help?
MarytheKay says
Oh my! What beautiful dogs!! Do you have to keep them groomed? I need a low-maintenance dog…not one that gets salon treatments more often than I do. :-)
BelovedAimee says
wow, no dog is that cute! and as a mom of three who has given up on puppy training on more than one occasion…just skip the puppy phase you will not regret it.
Caren says
Kat, $2500 is a rip off for a dog that is basically a fancy mutt. We have a pure bread German Shorthair Pointer who cost half that and came from an extremely reputable breeder. GSPs are beautiful dogs, they do shed a bit but nothing like a lab or a golden retriever and they are very similar temperament and intelligence. I don’t like furry/curly dogs so I know that I am biased against your choice but either way, I really think you could find one for a lot less like the others said.
All this being said, I am not going to try to convince you that you don’t need a dog, we are Dog People and I cannot imagine my life without my furry sons, Ziggy and DaVinci. (DaVinci is an Italian Greyhound which I will NEVER get again) I do agree that the puppy stage is over rated but at the same time, I think that getting a puppy gives you the upper hand with training. I don’t know, I’m no help at all, but I can say, I look forward to hearing what you end up doing.
Fidgeting Gidget says
I liked Labradoodles too, but my husband said we couldn’t get any dog that ended in “oodle.” I’m allergic to dogs, too, and we researched a lot, and the breed we settled on was a Boston Terrier. Our dog is AWESOME with kids and people in general, and she only bothers my allergies if she hasn’t had a bath in a little while. She does shed a little, but not much, since she only weighs 22 pounds. She rarely barks (only if someone comes to the door), she’s really smart, and I couldn’t have picked a better breed. She was about $500 from a breeder we found on puppyfind.com.
3 Men and a Lady says
Holy shit! $2500?? Get a lab and a poodle and make your own.
3 Men and a Lady says
But those are seriously CUTE dogs. They look like stuffed animals. I just want to cuddle one. And I don’t even really like dogs all that much.
annie says
Don’t be fooled – these dogs are HUGE – my friend has two of them and one is the size of a small horse and the other is the size of a great dane and she is considered ‘small’. They chew through sheetrock for crying out loud! And they stink.
Kathy says
wow $2500??!??!! I’ve always kept animals but I’ve always been a freebie kinda girl lol That just blows me away! But if I had the money I’d share with you :) Hope you get your doodle dog!
dusty earth mother says
just have to tell you, that build-up to the dog picture was hilarious.
Labradoodles… soooooo cute…. sooooo sweet…. go for it, I say. I have pugs and I’m pug-obsessed, but they shed their body weight in fawn-colored fur every day. And they snore like 90-year old men. And their tongues smell like dead fish. Love ’em!!!
But I agree with most–try all the shelters first before you fork out such a serious amount of cash.
Kristi {at} Live and Love...Out Loud says
Holy moly macaroni! $2,500?!? Wow… You’re going to need to start a fundraiser of some kind. What are your baking skills like? I’m thinking “BAKE SALE!” lol
Kristi, Live and Love…Out Loud
@TweetingMama
Stephanie @ Geezees says
They are very cute!!
Gwen says
$2500 is a lot of cash!!! We got our golden retriever from a breeder for $400 with shots. We had to pay to have him fixed but I would do it all over again (even the chewing and late night potty trips). He is the worlds best dog and I highly recommend a golden to anyone that asks. Have you thought about just getting a golden or lab without the poodle involved? However, my friend has one of each and her goldendoodle is more mellow than the labradoodle but they are both big dogs. Good luck!!! Can’t wait to see which you choose. :) XOXO
Chris Weigand says
lol I’ve been lobbying for a puppy for years, but my husband won’t have it. This sounds like it would be perfect for my house. I suppose that I’ll just have to try and figure out how to cuddle my daughter’s pet gecko though and maybe that is all part of God’s plan.
RockyCat says
Please …… go to a shelter. They are OVERFLOWING with dogs who just need a loving home. At least go visit one before you make a decision.
amber says
The owner of the agency I used to work for had one and he (the dog) was the most adorable creature I’ve ever had the good fortune to hug on a daily basis (the owner was kind of a douche).
If you somehow magically find yourself that $2500, run, don’t walk, to the nearest labra-holy-cuteness-in-a-doodle breeder.
Joy says
not all Labradors are big, ya know we are a Lab family and our black female is small not little dog small but small for a lab. but labs are CRA-Z don’t get me wrong I love them but they can be nuts.
Our other dog is a French Bulldog and OMG they are hillarious and fun well that is if you can get passed the snoring:)
Jen says
Ok, ok, I know I gave you advice not too long ago about not getting a dog, but now I need to listen to my own advice! We are in the exact same spot! My boyfriend and I already have an almost two-year-old Lhasa that we love — even though we struggle to house-train him. Now, we really want a Golden-doodle. We found a breeder nearby that has a bunch of already crate-trained puppies! We’re considering going to see them this weekend, but we know if we go, we’ll come home with one, so we are debating carefully. With the dog already being house-trained, our biggest concern is what we do with our fur-babies when we travel (which we both love to do, as much as possible). It’s a huge consideration because we won’t send them to someone we don’t know. Boyfriend’s mother would watch our dog now, but three dogs (she has a new puppy of her own), especially a 50-pound dog, is just too much for her. So, we’re not sure what to do!
My best advice to you is to think about it — with Pat, with the kids. Outline everyone’s responsibilities and think about your plan: what do you do when you want to take the kids to Disney World (for example)? Do you have someone who will either come over to check on the dog, or take it while you’re gone? Can you be consistent in training? Who will be responsible for this (the dog will recognize one person in the house as the alpha dog)? Who will walk it and take it out? (Labradors and Goldens need a lot of exercise.)
I can’t wait to hear about your decision!
Caren D says
If you get another dog I am unsubscribing so I don’t have to hear about how it didn’t work out AGAIN or hear about how one of your kids got bit.
Jesus Kat. Step away from the dogs. Your life is already very full.
Loni @ From Two to Three says
Cough 2500 bucks?? Dang, that dog MUST be perfect! :) As long as you keep blogging I will support you (mentally, not financially) with your decisions! :)
TheKitchenWitch says
2500 dollars? That thing had better do dishes and laundry, for that price!
They are pretty cute, though…
S Club Mama says
2500 bucks for a dog? I will take a MUTT, thankyouverymuch.
Shelley says
I’m right there with ya, sista! And there is nothing wrong with wanting to keep adding to your family! You just have so much love to give! :-)
Lizgizzy says
$2500 wow. I loved having dogs. I also love not having dogs. I don’t have any real advice to give other than give it lots of thought and time, don’t let the warm fuzzy feeling that you get when you see a puppy take over. Getting a dog with little ones is a huge decision.
hotpants™ says
$2500 for a dog is bullshit. I feel better for saying it.
Megan says
$2500?!?! That is CRAZY! I have a friend that has a goldendoodle and I’m pretty sure she didn’t pay that but she lives in Akanasas….maybe they are cheaper there. I have noticed that when I was looking for our maltese they were cheaper in some parts of the country than others. Anyway, Farm Boy would shoot me quick as look at me if I suggested we pay that for a dog. But hey…if you’ve got the money…go for it! I will say though…all the labradoodles I have seen are ginormous! As in up to my hip and 100 lbs. Matter of fact there were two at the groomer yesterday when I went to pick Dolly up…and they were BIG!
I know how you feel though when you get the itch for a dog. Hope you get one! :-)
Sandra says
I would ne vet buy from anyone that charged that much for a dog. we have hAd two pound dogs for 8years and they r the best dogs in the world
missy says
wow…they are not that pricey in the mid-west!!!!! i will check the ads around here!!! good luck….they are little cuties!!!
Sunday Stilwell says
Hey Kat!
Believe it or not our Labradoodle, Ernie, was adopted from our local animal shelter after some girl bought 2 from a breeder and then realized they were waaaayyyy too big for her to keep both.
So, for $70.00 we were able to bring home Ernie…the best doggie evah!
Ali says
Aren’t they so cute?
Based on what you want, I’d also look into Havaneses. I had one and they are amazing! Non-shedding, hypoallergenic, small but not too small, smart, etc.
Oh, and CUTE!
angie says
You are crazy. Crazy.
I stand by the statement, too. :)
Beth says
Maybe you could be on Hoarders, Mama Kat hoarder of mice, children, and dogs ;) They are adorable!
Serenity says
I just had a lengthy conversation with my BFF and her friend on FB about the temperament of a labradoodle… so interesting that this is the new fad dog…lol. Anyways the “friend” said her uncle had one and it was vicious… so I say that it is the same with about any dog it is all in how it is raised and socialized…I have a cute little chihuahua/chinese cresent that adores my small children..he hasn’t nipped and by far he is not a barky dog (which are both traits of chihuahuas)….. also here in Idaho a lady was selling brand new pup labradoodles for 50 bucks as a rehoming fee so I would say keep looking around anyone wanting 2500 is crazy :)
Andy says
$2500 is WAY to much for a family pet. the person you’re talking to obvisously thinks way to much about their dogs. but this is washington and people are crazy about dogs here.
that said, Any dog has the ability to be a barker/nipper/biter. It’s all about how the dog was raise/socialized. Raising a dog from a puppy using the proper socializing and training techiques is the best bet to keep it from doing the things you don’t want it to do.
It takes a long time to figure out what kind of dog your looking for, and then it takes even longer to find the dog that fits your family best. you can’t just go down to the pound and walk away with the perfect dog every time.
I don’t think there is such a thing as an untrainable dog. I also don’t think that everyone can train every dog. do you research on training, socializing, breed “standards”, dog personalities, etc, as a family and come to a decision as a family as to the type of dog that will best fit the family. (I recomend a brain storming session that includes the kids. what you want, what you don’t want) use this to find out what everyone is looking for in a dog. then go from there. make sure that everyone is on the same page as far as training goes. get the kids involved. not only will this help the kids get better around animals, but it will also help the dog understand that they are to be listened too as well.
Patricia says
You realize, of course, that your dog could have the Lab Coat/Poodle disposition instead of the Poodle Coat/Lab Disposition. Wouldn’t that be bad. These are designer breeds that haven’t been all that well designed. Visit the shelter and get a dog that need you … not one that fills your needs.
emilyq says
Wow, those are cute dogs!!! I have had the pleasure of meeting one in person & he was no small pup! Very cute, but also still in his puppy-stage, despite his size, and was a little hard for his owners to control.
We adopted our dog from a small dog rescue (one that takes dogs to PetSmarts and the like). He’s AWESOME. He is a wheaten terrier (which is a GREAT family dog) and a lasa apaso mix. Totally weird mix (I don’t think he was on purpose!). He is a little funny looking, but he’s adorable. He is fluffy & small (about 30 lbs). He doesn’t shed AT ALL. We do get him trimmed every once in a while. He was about a year & half when we adopted him and that’s a great age. Still young, but potty trained and not always hyper. He is sweet, calm & loves our 13 month old.
I agree with those who said to look into shelters or rescues. Try petfinder.com. You might even find a labradoodle or goldendoodle that needs a forever home!!!!
Good luck!!!
LaMereJoie says
Wow, they are cuties! Big balls of fur and they don’t shed. Bonus!!! I wish you the best of luck!
Frugal Vicki says
so, I attempted tomorrows writing assignment, it took a sour turn, but instead you got an award!
gina says
My mom has a Golden Doodle and adores here. She’s cute, doesn’t shed, and is super smart. I hope you find a good deal on one!
OHN says
My neighbor has one and she (the dog, not the lady) is the most loving, smart, *escape artist comes to mind*, and loves to be with people and other dogs.
This pup has fallen in love with one of my dogs and they are hilarious together.
They can run like the wind, so keep that in mind too.
Suzicate says
I have a labradoodle, and I run a daycare in my home. She is the absolute sweetest dog I have ever seen besides my friend’s dog who ia also a labradoodle. A perfecr pet for a house with kids. She lives for the kids to arrive each morning and is a little sad on the weekends without them. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body…I can totally trust her with the kids.She is sensitive ,sweet, and playful. You NEED a labradoodle. Ours made our lives and home complete! Did I sell you on it?
Denise says
Ok, we are one of the crazy families that coughed over the moolah for a labradoodle. I refused to have a dog that sheds and a good temperment was imperative as our youngest child was 2 at the time. Rudy turns 2 the end of this month and he is THE BEST DOG! When we went and looked at the puppies and talked with the breeder (get a good one) I found out that the reason they are so expensive is because the breeders pay a lot of money for the breeding dogs. It’s not just putting a poodle and a lab together and bam! Labradoodle. Rudy is multigenerational which means he is a seventh generation labradoodle and so he truly does not shed. Seriously, I brush him and maybe get a tablespoon of hair off him. He is like a big muppet….so sweet, MELLOW, smart and soooo great around the kids! He is 60 pounds…one of the bigger ones but have seen some that are much smaller. Again, getting a great breeder is key. We got Rudy as a puppy. He had all of his shots, was neutered and microchipped as well. He took to potty training so quickly, I was amazed. He had 2 accidents in the house but that was because we weren’t paying attention to his signals. The dog is very smart! He has bonded with my husband, apparently he is “alpha dog”! That dog follows him everywhere! He is very cute…looks so much like the dog in your first picture. Email me if you have any questions…I just can’t say enough great things about these dogs!
Valerie says
My aunt and uncle have two labradoodles and they love them!!
Justine says
Look, just cut back on groceries for a few months or something, would ya? You NEED a dog. Ahem… I mean, the KIDS need a dog. And golden and labradoodles are sooooooooooooooo cute.
And of course, if you got a puppy we could commiserate about all the things our “puppies” (never mind that Strudel is now a year old) are eating. Please????
Justine :o )
Melissa says
Holy crap that’s a lot of money but they’re really adorable dogs! I hope you get one. :)
tara says
i have a labradoodle who looks exactly like the cute doggie by the bike.
i haunted the website of doggies needing homes (like a virtual shelter, i forget what it is called two years, a baby and many braincells later) and visited lots of doggies at the local shelter. i just didn’t meet the right dog. until i met our labradoodle.
who … has been amazing with the baby who crawls all over him. i paid only a fraction that amount but it was worth every penny. i totally get it. i can’t imagine our family without him.
Erin says
My mom has two…a labradoodle and a golden doodle. She trained both of them as guide dogs. You want one for inexpensive and fully trained about 18 months of age….visit a local center for Guide Dogs for the Blind, you can get one for about 400 bucks!
Complicated Mama says
A lot of my friends are starting to wonder the same about me.. I too am constantly finding new things to busy myself with (as if I wasn’t complicated enough)…. but a LaberDoodle— haven’t added that one to my list yet… I’m too lazy for a dog. I’m counting down the days to no more diapers.
But– They ARE super cute.. so when you get someone so pay for yours.. maybe I can visit. lol
Ashley says
I got my goldendoodle from a breeder off of puppyfind.com $400, I lucked out on the price. Remy is wonderful except for his slight case of ADD. But really he’s great with my girls never has tried to bite at all. Low sheding but he does need grooming and cause of all that hair he does have ear issues. I have to clean his ears weekly to avoid infections. He weighs 50lbs, big but not TOO big but they do have mini breeds. More money though. All that but I still love him, he’s protective of his family but mostly i just love that the kids can jump all over him and he could care less.
Val says
GULP! Maybe you can ask for one on freecycle.org…
Valorie says
You know, I feel like if it’s part poodle, it’s for you. I mean, you’re an attention craving poodle, it’s an ACTUAL poodle that will compete with you for attention. You could even give each other attention!
Unfortunately, I don’t have thousands of dollars to spare. If I did, I might have one. :)
Funkidivagirl says
I wanted a labradoodle but didn’t want a dog that big, so I got a cockapoo puppy and he’s perfect! Everyone thinks that he is a labradoddle because he looks just like one, but he’s about the size of a cocker spaniel. He has a beautiful coat that doesn’t shed at all. I love him so and talk about him so much that he has a category to himself on my blog. And tomorrow is his birthday! (Yes, I will have a photo of him in a birthday hat posted on my blog).
Eileen says
Um…hate to burst your bubble..but that is a tiny labradoodle. I’ve worked with labradoodles. They are amazingly sweet dogs. But they can be BIG. Like all the height of a standard poodle with all the width of a lab big!
Also, fyi, labs and poodles are both dogs which are VERY VERY HYPER until they’re about two, at which point they start to slow down (in general).
Having a hand in raising a puppy is GREAT…as long as you have the time, energy, and money to do it properly. If not, an adult who has been raised properly can be a much better decision :-) Keep in mind that puppies not only need attention..they need to be not given attention (so they don’t develop separation anxiety). They need to be introduced to a large variety of people, places, and animals in a positive and safe way (the last bit is very important and can be difficult, helping them not be scared is hard, and they really NEED to be exposed before fully vaccinated, so you have to be careful). You need to think of all behaviors you want in the adult and enforce them in the puppy (it’s really hard to tell an 8 week old puppy not to jump on your shin. Or mouth your hand with his cute puppy teeth. Or climb in your lap). Everyone has to agree on and follow the same rules (including children). And so on.
Not saying it can’t be done or shouldn’t. I got my puppy (shih tzu, great family dog who doesn’t shed, very low maintenance in every way except grooming, but all non-shedders are high maintenance groomers) at 8 weeks and raised him myself. Just saying..fyi. Because most of the “problem” dogs I work with come from families who wanted to start with a puppy so they could raise it right..but then didn’t know everything about how to raise it right!
And, assuming the dog is generally good-tempered, it will almost certainly take way longer to train a puppy than to re-train an adult in behaviors you don’t like.
But there are many other reasons to get a puppy, and if those win, go for it! Just wanted to present the balanced picture from a dog trainer’s point of view :-)
Eileen says
ONE MORE THING I meant to mention: be sure if you get a “designer dog,” like a labradoodle or other-doodle, that both parents were purebreds. First generation crosses are typically very healthy. Later-generation crosses (where both parents were crosses) often have medical problems. Just a heads up!
Eileen says
Also (sorry sorry sorry promise I’ll stop after this) make sure any breeder you find is responsible…for tips on this you can check out my post at http://companionswa.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/finding-a-responsible-breeder/
Puppy mills will disguise themselves as responsible breeders. And you do not want to support puppy mills. Promise.
Have fun with your dog hunt! I LOVE dogs, think they’re a great addition to any family! :-)
Susan says
I can’t help but wonder what is wrong with people (you and some of your fans) who purchase high priced designer dogs when it’s perfectly obvious (to yourselves and everyone else) that you are directly contributing to the problem of “too many dogs, not enough homes”. You and millions of others like you continue to pay for your high priced accessories and as a result you DIRECTLY affect the fate of millions of homeless dogs. Why not just get a job in the euthanasia department of a dog shelter & cut out the middle man.
Otter says
I have a Labra-dore. It seems they have morphed into all sorts of combos these days.
Jenn says
Adorable! However, I must vouch for my Schnoodle!! We have the cutest little fluff ball, Oliver, who has been a dream since we got him. He is our oldest of three dogs, and is easily our smartest and sweetest pup. (We also have a pure bred mini-schnauzer and a new chihuahua-yorkie mix…) He is SO even tempered and I would honestly be in absolute shock if he even pretended to nip at someone. The one issue we have with him is barking, but we’re all set up to work with a trainer and him on that this spring/summer, so hopefully it will only be a temporary problem. (He barks mostly just at other dogs walking by outside…). He’s the perfect size too. (He’s 1/2 standard poodle, 1/2 mini schnauzer by the way). The one labradoodle I’ve ever seen was HUGE…SUPER cute, but REALLY big. I’d consider our Oliver to be medium sized. Ok…now that I’ve got all that rambling out…good luck with your dog purchase…whatever you decide! :)